Awesome Thursday

Just a quick post.

Yesterday, my awesome son brought home his first report card of middle school (junior high) and he's got a 3.9 gpa which of course places him on the A honor roll!  EXCELLENT!  I'm so proud of the way he studies, without being asked or told, and the effort he's put into everything.

Then later that evening he had his first guitar recital.  He played Hells Bells by AC/DC.  He did beautifully, except he lost his place once in the middle.  That's ok, ya know?  Teaches humility...lol.  There were pristine looking soccer moms who were bobbing their heads.  (Head banging for them.  Ha ha)

I've gotta figure out dh's cell phone so I can upload the pics. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We had a wonderful time today.  We ate at noon, earlier than our usual 2 p.m.  It was nice.  Now at 3:25 I've digested, walked on the treadmill, washed the dishes, folded some laundry, taken a shower and am blogging.  I love it. 



For the second year in a row we forgot the stuffing!  lol  Actually this year we didn't forget to make it.  We just forgot to bring it to the table.  chuckle  Freudian slip?  Can't say but it really isn't a big deal.  After all...what is stuffing anyway?  Simple carbs and salt.  Yup.  I do believe we're better off without it.  My Mabel's Salad finally turned out right.  DD and I are the only ones who eat it anyway, but it was driving us nuts trying to figure out what we'd been doing wrong.  (I hadn't written down the part about adding 2 c. water to the fruit cocktail juice.)  Once we followed the recipe as my mom had written it in the Dakota County cookbook it worked.  It was nice to see her name in there.  As par for the "missing a dead loved one" course, it's harder sometimes at the holidays.  I remember her last Thanksgiving.  It was 2002.  It was a sunny cold day (just like today).  I had gone to church early to serve the Thanksgiving meal.  When I got home at around noon or one I saw her car parked in our driveway.  (I don't care how old you get, it's a great feeling to see evidence of your mommy.  LOL) 

I'd forgotten to buy the pickles, so she and I drove to the new Walgreen's on CR Blvd.  It's funny the details my brain remembers.  I don't remember the conversation or what anyone was thankful for that year but I remember driving to Walgreens with her, even where we parked.  It was a great day.  The last supper of sorts.  She died fewer than three months later.

Yesterday there was supposed to be a monster storm, so I woke DS up at 5 a.m. and we took off for Mankato early.  Much earlier than we'd planned.  We got there around 7:05 and had a lot of fun driving home.  We stopped off at MOA and Ikea.  I finally got the mirrors for my room I've been wanting so much.  I bought six and am going to mosaic three.  I think I'll paint the other three orange, the same color as I'd like to do my accent wall.

Now I have to read up on how to do it.  I haven't mosaicked in years.  Can "mosaic" be a verb?   I'll do it while dd is still here.  She's a big help and it'll give both of them something to do. 

Well we're off to see Harry Potter.  And to put up the Christmas tree.  Otherwise we'll have to wait until Dec. 17.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having as good a day as I. 

Mabel's Salad

1-6 oz. pkg. lemon Jell-o

1-6 oz. pkg. fruit flav. Jell-o (I like straw. banana)

1 can fruit cocktail

1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

 water



In lg. bowl, cream dry lemon Jell-o mix with cream cheese.  Drain fruit cocktail (saving the juice in a measuring cup), add fruit to mixture.  Add enough water to measuring cup w/juice in, to make 2 cups.  Heat in pan to a boil.  Add to cream cheese/Jell-o mixture, whisking works well.  Place in a 9X13 pan that's been rinsed in cold water.  Place in fridge, letting set.  (A couple hours at least) 

Mix up the fruit flavored Jell-o as directed.  (2 c. boiling and 2 c. cold water.)  Let cool on the counter - a couple hours.  When cooled completely, pour on top of mixture in pan.  It'll set in a few hours.  (I like to use my 9X13 that has a hard cover.) 

Serve on piece of leaf lettuce - maybe a mint leaf would look pretty on top.  Eat.



Mabel's Salad



All in a Week



Happy Birthday to you!

 Well this has been an exciting week.  For E's bday last Tues. we took him and his friend (the phantom-from Halloween post) to Dave and Buster's.  That was nice.  No cake allowed in though, so we sang to him over a sundae.

Thursday was guitar class and I went to the "State of Bean" coffee shop, which I love, and knitted some black and white dishcloths for J & K.  We also bought them a chip n dip set and a lazy susan server thingy.  Their wedding was on Saturday in St. Paul.  I saw some people I hadn't seen in years.  It was good to be around "my peeps".  Gary K. in particular talked a lot about my aunt Linda and mom.  Seemed like old times.  In a good way. ;-)  We left early-thank God.  It got slipperier and slipperier out.  There was a pile up on 94 and Ted, Dana, her parents, Hannah and bride and groom were all in it!  They're all alive but their van was totalled.  Some weren't wearing seatbelts.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  They spent the night in the ER. Hannah's been in so much pain anyway and is having surgery today (Mon.) for other things.  This has just been horrendous for her.  I didn't recognize her at the wedding.  I hope they'll all be well. 

On the way home from the wedding, ds informed us that he doesn't want to just go home.  I remember what that was like.  You want to be out on the town on a Saturday night.  So I dropped a very tired husband and very excited son off at the theater where they saw the latest Harry Potter movie.  I picked them up at 11 or so and that's when I realized how awful the driving was.  I'm grateful we were all home safely that night.  BTW-Eric said he thought that was the best HP movie ever.  He actually jumped in his seat out of fright.  Lol  Sounds like a good time. 

In other knitting news, I got my 2 balls of sock yarn and 8 size 1 needles and a pattern book that I won at the quilting/scrapping party.  Very cool.  On Friday I saw a cat bed on Ravelry and decided to go make one.  I got it all knitted up, but now have to felt it.  Of course, this mildly frightens me.  lol  I've never done it before.  I guess tennis balls or clean canvas shoes work well in the washer.  Here's a pic before the felting:




This pattern is Kitty Pi and found on Ravelry.  I held worsted wool double on size 13's.

 

I just love these colors.  I'd been wanting to knit something with these for a long time.  Lucy should love it too.  She and Daisy have been fighting over the dog bed for quite awhile now.  It's kinda funny, but probably pees them off.

Yesterday dh, ds, and I bummed around the stores of CR. looking for a bowl the right size to use as a form for the cat bed.  Once we'd spent $20 for one I got home and found out I don't need a form.  One woman wrote back to me and said she used a bunch of plastic bags!  Works for me.  This morning I returned the bowl.  Of course I couldn't just leave Target without spending some of it.  lol  I found some little gift boxes back in the Christmas dept.  I took the blouse sized ones, but there were some cute little China boxes.  They're 8X8.  I wish I had something cute and small to wrap in them.  What is it about small things?  They're so appealing to women.  Is it just women?  Do men go gaga over tiny boxes of Velveeta cheese in the aisles?  I doubt it.  Anyway, I wrapped Brittany's hat in the box.  It's quite gratifying to see presents getting wrapped, little by little.  Instead of waiting for midnight on Christmas Eve. 

This is the blue hat B1 had been asking for for a couple years now.  I love the pattern.  It's 'Snappy' on Ravelry.  http://picnicknits.com/free-patterns/  I sure hope it fits her.  She said her head is large (and she has a ton of hair) so I made the largest size there was.  I suppose she could always use bobby pins to keep it on.  (I'm not sure why the pic is sideways.  It's right side up in my album.  ?  The ways of the computer and internet are a mystery to me.  lol)

What else has been going on?  I've been eating like a pig.  I've developed an inexplicable lust for ice cream sandwiches!  I hate ice cream!  I can't seem to stop myself.  Even when I want to do something healthy like walk on the treadmill, I talk myself out of it.  Grrr. 

I'm going to try to open a new page on my blog (that would involve remembering how) to store my scrapbook pages. Until then, here are a couple I did last weekend.

The Halloween one probably looks familiar. 

Well I'll go for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

November 16: A Very Important Day!

In honor of my son, who has a b-day today, here's a cute video of his fave character:

(That's also my favorite religious Christmas carol - when sung correctly. ;-)
 

So this b-day sneaked up on me.  Not really, but I just haven't been as diligent in my parental duties lately.  Now that dd's gone there's no one spurring me on with excitement about things.  I'm not the greatest self starter. 

I just dropped the birthday boy off at school.  When the stores open, I'll go get him some balloons and I'll make him a mayonnaise cake.  That's his favorite.  I sent one up with him to Debbie's last weekend but something tells me he won't mind another one.  Oh--I need candles for the cake too. 

 

This Saturday is Jeremiah's wedding.  I've got to knit a few black and white dishcloths.  (Those are the colors they're doing their house.)  I'm finishing up some mitties for dd right now.  I'm leaving the tips of the thumbs off for texting.  They match the green cabled hat I made her.  She'd been wanting me to make her some mittens.   I hope she likes them.  I may make B1 a hat and mittens set too.  Not sure.  I still have to make the little people in the family on Curt's side some monsters.  I've been putting that off.  It's sort of scary making things for people; I put a lot into planning and executing and what if they don't like it.  I can totally see Dave sayin something snarky.  Oh well.  
 



Quilting/Scrapping w/Shana et al



Last Friday I went to an all night quilting & scrapping party with Shana and her hubby Dave's side of the family.  It was nice being around all those women.  I stayed up and finally left for home at 4:15am.  I was going to come back in later in the morning but got snowed in.  I stayed holed up for 36 hrs.  It was kinda cozy but my sleep schedule was off.  I shoveled my way out at 4:30pm.  It was so good to finally get out of the house Sunday night.   



As I was walking out to my car @ 4am



 

A week ago I went to buy a lamp for the computer desk and found this one on clearance for $4.98!  It was too small for the desk area, but it's perfect on the mantel. 

Isn't it cute?  It's cozy to look at when I'm on the chair knitting.  I'd been wanting a larger lamp in that design for a long time, but not in the budget.  So here's the perfect answer: a small one for $5.  I'm glad Curt put in that outlet in the mantle. 

It's hard to believe that it's been twelve years with this guy o'mine.  He's such a joy.  It's funny because he looks just like Curt as a boy, but he and I have so much in common personality/quirk-wise.  I remember when he was around 4 or 5 the planet Mars came the closest it'll ever come to Earth.  He and I sat on top of a hill and looked at it.  We talked about everything that evening: the stars, planets, the universe, God-as in, "Is there one?".  It's one of the best memories I have.  :-)  We used to go for hikes in the woods at French Regional Park and pretend that the Orcs were coming to get us.  It was something I looked forward to, I hope he did too.  There are things that I really resented when I was a kid that are some of the things I treaure the memory of most now.  Having to walk everywhere 'cause my mom didn't have a car for example, but it was so fun being on the bus going downtown.  Standing on the corner waiting for it.  Seeing so many different people.  Gagging on the exhaust of all the cars going by... ha ha  Or having to go school clothes shopping with the other two kids.  But we had so much fun hiding in the racks of clothes together or from eachother.   My point is that even when ds complains about having to go hiking for example, I hope that he looks back on it with fondness.  Hoping he feels that way about yarn shops might be pushing it though...lol.

Parenting is a huge thing.  Maybe that's one of the reasons we've decided to experience time in short 'day' segments.  Or minutes and seconds.  Life in general is huge.  Specially because we don't even get to remember what our goals were in coming here.  It's a wonder any of us are (considered) legally sane. 

There's some crazy stuff going on out there and in here.  And if ya don't get it just right it seems there will always be someone around to 1) notice and 2)condemn you for it.  lol  I suppose a big part of growing is figuring out how to put those two facts in perspective and move on in spite of them.  I remember reading the quote about being independent of the good opinion of others.  I think it was Wayne Dyer who wrote/said it.  I thought it was awkwardly worded and didn't want to bother with it at first.  Which I now find amusing since it nails on the head the biggest problem I've had in my life.  So concerned with everyone else.  Their feelings, wants, needs.  Mostly their opinions of me.  Yikes.  I love the 20/40/60 rule: At twenty you're so concerned with what others think of you.  At forty you decide not to care what others think of you.  And at sixty you realize no one was thinking about you in the first place.  They were all busy with their own selves.  Of course that's not to say there isn't snarkiness. 

I was listening to Enya the other day.  My favorite songs by her are nos. 4 & 7 on The Memory of Trees. 

That's #4, here's #7, "Hope Has a Place":

Happy listening - have a beautiful life. 

I got this from another blog. Totally accurate...go gramps go!

Fun in the Sun...and Clouds

(This is Charlie revelling in the 68 deg. weather on Tuesday.)

Hi again.  More perfect weather on tap.  Actually, the past two days were incredible - sunny and in the upper 60's.  Today is still sunny, but cooler.   Here's Charlie cat curled up in his igloo: 

Both days, after school, ds and I walked up to a park w/a bunch of Oak trees and a tall hill.  We played soccer on the way up and I felt that I was his age again.  When we got there, he rolled down the hill a bunch of times and I lay on the grass just looking up at the sky - no one else was there.  Perfection.  Then he made a huge pile of leaves and ran down the hill and jumped into them!  The bare trees were just gorgeous against the sky.  They were all oaks-Burl Oaks I think, with big gnarly trunks and branches.  Classic autumnal tree.

And while I'm on about trees: there's nothing so wonderful as the smell of a pile of dried leaves.  Scent is time travel--I smell those leaves & bam!; it's autumn of '74 and I'm playing with my sister outside under the Black Walnut tree.  I had an itchy wool hat on with pompoms on the ties which my mother made me wear.  No wonder I usually knit w/acrylic!  Major control issues.  lol

Yesterday on the way home, the sky was dark and ominous looking which is a favorite of both son and mine.  It started to sprinkle, but no worries.  Who cares, we had a warm home with a fireplace to go home to.  This is not by way of bragging, just gratitude.  Right now is a great time to be.

In knitting: I'm almost done with PWoS blanket.  I'm hoping to have enough to make a little Yoda cape thingy too.  http://www.ravelry.com/projects/SinKnitty/baby-yoda-sweater

Isn't that cute!?!  I wouldn't do all the extras, and I'd do it in the same yarns as the blanket, but you get the gist.

Tomorrow I've got a quilting and scrapping weekend thing at a nearby church.  I'm going with my niece Shana.  She quilts and I scrap, so we may not see much of eachother, but that's ok.  Should be fun.  I'm bringing some knitting along just in case it's not.  haha

Two more weeks and we get to go down and pick up dd for Thanksgiving.  Yay.  She hasn't been home since August.  I think we'll all go down to the Science Museum and see the new Imax movie: Hubble.  We love going there as a family. I'm looking forward to it since all they showed for months and months was the propagandist bs Arabia.  Yeah, they didn't have alternate movies as they normally do because they're politically correct ass kissers.  Oooo--a little anger there, Erika?  lol  The reason they wanted to be p.c.a.k.  is due to the showing of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit.  Apparently they think that's just too Jewish to not give equal time (at no extra cost to members, even though the exhibit was) to the nasty nation that's trying to end ours.  Helen Mirren's voice will forever disgust me from here on out (she narrated). 

So anyway I'm looking forward to some forward thinking scientific stuff at the Imax, instead of a religion steeped in misogyny and violations of every human right imagineable.  BTW Helen; it's SAUDI Arabia, not Arabia.  Propagandist shit.

On that happy note, I'm off to finish knitting the blankie.  Today is the deadline to bring in blankets for local charities.  And wouldn't ya know it!  The drop off site is 2 doors down from a yarn shop.  Gee darn!  :-)

Happy knitting and everything!

A Day With the Man of the House (as LIW called dh)

I wanted to quick share my newest excitement.  This is my new cozy computer corner.  After years of no space for both speakers let alone the keyboard, we threw a piece of Aspen on top and voila! we have space!  I love how something so simple makes such a huge difference.  I added the lamp last night, it's so warm now.  I have some red oak stain for the wood but I love the light modern look too.  A quandry has ensued.  Onto other things... 

DH took the day off and it's been really fun so far.  (It's only noon.)  We tooled around together.  After we dropped the truck off at the doctor's we headed down to a yarn shop I just found out about yesterday.  It's in northeast Minneapolis.  It's called "Bella Lana" on 4th St. SE.  We got there about 40 min. before it opened so we walked (in near-impossibly perfect weather for Nov.) to the coolest, quaintest, and dare I say - cutest - coffee shop yet.  It's on Central I think??  and called the...

Its theme is Oscar Wilde and its interior is dressed to the nines in ambience.  Having already eaten breakfast, I ordered only a small mint cocoa and that was even loaded with charm.  I didn't want to drink it in case a camera magically appeared and I could photograph it with the surrounding atmosphere.  Eventually the cruel truth that no such camera would manifest crept over me and I gave in and drank it.  It was very good.  It didn't make me sick [always a plus ;-)] as happens with Caribou's cocoa. And it came with a wafer that I used for scooping up the whipped cream.  

Oooo-I haven't mentioned the comfortable arm chair to knit in.  There was plenty of seating: soft cushy chairs, high tables and low tables.  Beautiful artwork for sale on the walls.  This place excited all the senses.  The only complaint I had was the seat I was in faced just enough to the north/northwest to get a major glare off the white building across the street.  No biggie though. 

Eventually we headed back to Bella Lana, where we had curbside parking, no problema.  (Side note: 3 quarters gets you 1-1/2 hr. prkg!) 

I always get nervous going to new yarn shops.  I never know how non-snobby they'll be inside.  Nothing to worry about here.  She was the owner but I forget her name.  Funny because I remember her adorable Italian Greyhound's name - Enzo.  He greeted us as soon as we walked in.  Too sweet. 

The woman was very kind, easy going, and we made jokes about the fact that I wore an acrylic scarf into her pristine store.  She's very easy to talk with and no pressure.  I like the way she had all the yarn labelled. When I mentioned this, she said it was because in SF, CA where she's from, they didn't label and it was embarrassing (I'm paraphrasing) to get to the counter and find you couldn't afford it.  My kinda gal.  

This store has a fun selection of yarn.  All the "cool kids' stuff" you read about in the blogs and 'zines and books.  There's some great shimmery stuff by Tilli for which I will definitely save up.  It'll make a beautiful shawl--in silvery grey.  It was around $39/hank. 

We got talking patterns and Fair Isling and gay men and straight men knitting and Brooklyn Tweed and his new 'made in America' yarn that she'll be carrying.  Yay.  I ended up finding a perfect bright green button for a hat that's been sittin' waitin' for one.  And all the pattern talk got around to "Koolhaas" by Jared Flood, so I bought some more Malabrigo worsted in Pollen to knit one.

I had a fabulous morning.  Not only did I get to go to the new store I discovered yesterday (she's got an awesome website too: http://www.beautifulyarn.com/ ) but I discovered a new coffee house and in fact, a whole new neighborhood.  I love it!

I hope you're having a great day too & thanks for stopping by.     

My Last Day of Freedom

Well it's Sunday and the guys are coming back tonight.  I've really enjoyed some extended time off. 



Gorgeous November in Minnesota



This morning I got a bunch of laundry done.  Sounds boring but feels great.  I worked some more on the Pale Waves of Sherbet but started getting perturbed with some idiot house sellers on HGTV.  I figured I'd rather do something else with my time.  I took my new camera (that I haven't completely figured out) and went to one of my favorite hiking areas.  

I saw my new friend the Pileated Woodpecker again.  First she came to my house, now I hers.  Cute.  She's so large I initially thought it was a Bald Eagle. 

Red Squirrel



So now I'm back home feeling good I got a hike in. 

It's wonderful to not have the t.v. on all the time.  Usually when dh is here, it is.  :-(  The kids and I have even given his mistress, the remote control, a name - Pam.

Not much else to say.  Gonna go knit.  Cheers!

Halloween 2010 and the week that's followed...

Ok then.  This is my adorable child, the hippie.  (Tongue firmly in cheek.)  He had a good time w/his friend, the phantom.  They had really good weather, which is no small thing in Minnesota at the end of October.

We started getting his costume together in July when we found this leather "easy rider" vest at a south Mpls. consignment shop.  The headband is from an antique store in Anoka.  It belonged to an actual Vietnam vet!!  (I put the exclamation marks in there for my son.  He thought that was the coolest thing.)  He's got a bunch of peace and flower buttons on his shirt too.  He said that a lot of people commented on how good his costume was.  I'm glad--it's the first year his sister hasn't helped him make one.  This he pieced together on his own; well, along with our checkbook.  ;-)  Good job guy.

The rest of the week's been fun.  I had a great conference experience at his school.  He's getting all A's.  Nicely done son! The teachers all seem interested in his education.  I really like them.  It's so much more settling to know you're sending your kid off for the majority of his day with people who care about him.  All kids deserve that.

Daisy dog and I had some fun out in the yard.  Being an Eskie, she loves this cooler weather.  She just comes alive.  I took her out to the soccer field one evening and she got to chase some geese.  This vid is just us in the front yard before Halloween.

Friday dh and he took off to go hunting up north.  DS got to leave school at lunch time.  (Remember how much fun that used to be.)  I guess that makes me a hunting widow this weekend.  I hope that's all the longer it lasts.  DH bought him his first gun last month.  He's completed his gun training last April so he's rarin' to go.  Buck, prepare to duck!

It's November 6 and I've got two windows open.  I love it.  Tonight is when we set the clocks back.  Not looking forward to it.  I enjoy longer light in the evening.  I'm not sure what I'll do tonight.  Maybe go see a movie - alone.  :-(  Last year when they went hunting, I cleaned the house really well and had a knitting buddy come over.  This year, well, I'm too damned lazy.  LOL  Plus, I had a lot of fun staying up til 1 this morning dancing around to Cartman singing "Pokerface" on Youtube.  I adore high speed. 

Tuesday there were the mid-term elections.  For the first time in my life I believe, I voted for a few Republicans!  There's going to be a recount for Governorship, but I'm pretty sure Dayton won.  I did not vote for him.  He wants to start taxing everyone and his dog...read: clothing and yarn.  NOT COOL with me.  And being a true Dem. I'm sure he won't stop there.  It wouldn't surprise me if he raises the sales tax rate as well.  Of course, it's a Republican controlled congress now. We'll see how this all pans out.  It's not as though there's a huge difference in the net results anyway.  They're all owned by the same master.  And it sure ain't 'we the people' is it?

In knitting news I've been seriously denting my stash.  I started and finished another MultiStrand blanket.  I made it in hunting colors (orange and browns/greens).  It's so thick and warm.  I wish I'd have made it larger.  Our cat Lucy liked it so much that ds wouldn't take it hunting.  lol  For that blanket I used up 6 skeins from my stash.  Some Soft Boucle and Thick & Quick.  Of course I had to buy four new ones too...lol.  Isn't that just the way?  I also started and finished a pr. of mitties for ds and started a baby blanket for Project Linus.  I'm using two big 1000 yd. skeins I've had for 2 years now.  That'll be good to get rid of those.  The pattern is from http://www.ravelry.com/ in the group Project Linus.  It's called the All-Purpose Knitted Afghan.  I love the yarn colors together.  Light yellow w/white, green and pink.

In more knitting news: I got a good deal at http://www.dangercrafts.etsy.com/  That's where I bought the D&D pattern.  I wanted a bunch more but couldn't do $6/ea.  Instead, I bought a bundle of patterns.  Five monsters for $20.  I'm so excited.  I'm making myself finish sewing the pocket onto D&D though before I start a new one.  I got a robot pattern I might make for some of the cute little boys in our family for Xmas.  I also found an adorable "manly bib" for the newest 2 mo. old boy in our fam.  My nephew's son Isaiah.  Check it out:http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manly-bib  So cute.  I think I'll do it as a lt. blue shirt w/dk. blue tie 

I guess that's all for now.  I need to work on the "Pale Waves of Sherbet" as I call the baby blanket.  Thanks for stopping in.

Hi all! OK, so I'm sitting in the living room listening to depressing news. Something about a possible bomb on a plane from Yemen. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye, across the street some huge bird came swooping in from the west. It was clearly a woodpecker, but it was so large it was bordering on creepy. It effortlessly bounced up the trunk of the Ash in the Hillbillies' yard. Then...it swooped on over to our yard! It was coming right at the bow window at first. It felt so exhilarating! Then it swooped again (no other word for it) to Sarah--our Ash tree. I didn't see it go there, but instinctively knew it would. I grabbed my new birthday camera and got these through the wavy glass window in our front door. I'm so happy they turned out as well as they did (thanks honey for the new camera).
I did a little research and it turns out that this is a rarely seen Pileated woodpecker. I think we saw one on display at the Minnesota Zoo last week. I was thinking at the time, "Jesus, I've never seen that in Minnesota." LOL--I guess Jesus took that as a hint. ha ha

So apparently they're 19" tall (!) and the female doesn't have a red mark under her eye, but other than that both genders look the same. I think our new visitor is a female. I'll have to name her. If our trees have names, so can their guests. ;-)
In other news, ds had his first guitar lesson last night. He can play audible songs now! LOL I'm proud of him. Now if only his orchestra teacher would have them start playing the violin TWO months into the year! DS has got five more weeks of guitar lessons. I'd like to have him keep it up.

I'm almost done knitting the Daphne and Delilah monsters for dd's Christmas present. I need to sew up the sides of the pocket and give Delilah some arms. I'm going to try to pick up sts. for them instead of doing them separately and sewing them on. I'm not too proficient at that.

I'm going to buy another pattern from Danger Crafts...the one with the ring around her eye and Shrek-like ears. I'll make that for my niece's 2.5 yr. old daughter. I'd like to knit ds a cat or dog too from Danger Crafts too. Each pattern is $6 though, so I want to be prudent and make sure I'll actually knit the dang things. Here's a link. Such cute patterns. I saw some Christmas things on there now too. //http://www.etsy.com/shop/dangercrafts

I'd better go. I want to get out in the sunshine and walk before all the little kids start strolling home from school.

Gorgeous day

Well, my son's first day of MEA break and it was stunningly beautiful outside. Sunny and then grey then sunny again. Windy too. We played pool and watched funny Youtube clips (check out little kid singing "Hey Jude")

When dh got home we went out to dinner. I walked home. It was so beautiful. The crunchy dry leaves smelled so good. Then I turned the corner to my street and there, in the still light sky, was a faint, barely-there, almost-full moon. EEeeeek. It made my night.

I hope you're all having a wonderful autumn too.

Intelligence alive and well (at least in part of) the EU

This hits the nail on the head. Just incredibly honest and unafraid to speak the truth. Go Pat go!

Okay, well. We just got high-speed a couple days ago and I've been discovering the joys of Youtube. lol LOVE IT. (Tonight we also bought a new monitor and I can see my hearts on Ravelry so clearly now. And everything else. )



Anyway, I found this incredible clip of a truth that is rarely, if ever, mentioned.




Go David GO! Wow, you just don't get honesty like that now days. Everyone's so damned afraid to offend the poor Muslims. It turns out liberals (which I was my entire adult life) turn out to be the most racist of all. They treat blacks or Muslims or anyone they consider to be the underdog or victim as less than adult human beings, fully responsible for their own actions. They're like bossy older siblings who think they have to make sure they get the silly people who don't agree with their worldview to mind them. Ay-yiy-yiy.

God help us all. The children have comandeered the building.

Frienemies

Good afternoon! It is so beautiful out today. The kids, dog, and I just got back from a walk in the woods. It's a bit on the steamy side, but do-able. In the words of dd, "We got our vitamin D on". lol

Earlier this week, Monday to be exact, an acquaintance who'd been trying to get a hold of me for a month or so finally did. She wanted to "practice" her new Primerica job shpiel on me. I invited her and her two boys for lunch Friday (today). I ran around cleaning extra well, going to two grocery stores for the lunch stuff, got up early this morning to make some choc. chip cookie bars for the boys, got them their own lunch stuff, set the table, and just when I was curling my hair 30 min. before they were due, she calls.

It turns out her son wants to get his hair cut and she wanted to talk to both my dh and me. Long story a little shorter: she bailed! No apology, nothing. What a ninnified bone-head.

I need some real friends, or just one even. Women I know through my son (all the women I know) just want me to buy Pampered Chef, watch their kids, buy Tupperware, buy Mary Kay. It's never just about hanging out.

I'm LONELY! I'll have to plan my next move. And try to remember how to make friends and keep them. I think I'll start with knitting. I'll start going to a Thurs. group in Anoka. Tomorrow we're renewing our science museum membership so maybe I'll take some classes there. If I do things I love, then the people I meet there will be more likely to be people I'd want to meet.

On the up-side, dinner's already made! LOL

DH and ds are going to chip some golf balls this evening. I'll have the house to myself. That'll be nice.

Thanks for checking in. I'll go upload some pics from today. See ya!

Autumn?...in JUNE!?

So on Wednesday my dd and I were out and about in the northern 'burbs of Mpls. What do we see? Yellow leaves! (I think they were Aspens) They were falling and a small pile already on the ground! What the heck is that about?

We haven't had snow since February, which is bizarre for MN, so maybe the trees are a little off. ? Lol--no idea. This has been one weird winter/spring so far.

In other news: I saw the new Sex and the City movie. I liked it since it's always good to catch up with them and see what's going on with "the girls". However, my God! (or should I say Allah?), I felt as though we were being lectured about the political correctness of liking Arab states. Sickening. They didn't give us a tour of Mexico in the last movie. PC rearing its ugly, ugly head I think.

I also got a kick out of the two very-well-to-do Miranda and Charlotte complaining about motherhood. They each have a full-time nanny and very few worries. Despite my liking their characters a lot, I almost vomited. Then they gave a weak "shout out" to the moms that do it without nannies, too little too late.

Of course I'll see it again. I can make it through whiny Carrie's marital "issues". Are they ever going to allow this character to grow up a bit more? Ironically, I'm now whining about the movie. LOL I'll stop now.

I'd better go, Groundhog's Day is on. Gonna go watch it with the fam.

Israel and the middle east

Here's a link to an incredible article. It was written/given in 2004. Still applicable. I'm still reading it, but wanted to share it asap.

http://www.arationaladvocate.com/viewfromeyeofstorm.htm

An Unexpected Fun Friday - Edina Art Fair

This morning, my husband calls to let me know that the Edina Art Fair is going on. Oh-gee darn, I guess I'll just have to go. I've never been to it, I figured it would be pictures drawn/painted by little Edina school students or something. WRONG! It was almost as large as the Uptown Art Fair. Maybe as big. DD and I had a great time. Beautiful weather and lots of random works. The one I decided to bring home is this guy by my tree Oakie. We've named him "Brad the Dragonfly" in honor of the guy who made him. He'll weather and turn color in about two to three years. I'm thinking of coating him with something that'll keep him the same though. I like the way it stands out against all the green. There was another sculpture type lawn ornament I really want too. I might go back tomorrow and get it. It's some strange snail thing. It's so cool that people do this for a living. There were beautiful mosaics, wood carvings of lakes around Minnesota (I found the one DH grew up on), paintings, dog pics (saw some gorgeous Sammies).

We hadn't planned to go today, but these are the best kinds of days...the ones with the unexpected outings.

DARE graduation

Here's my son and his friends after their DARE graduation, June 3, 2010. Yay! Now, stick with it kids! From l - r, Alex, Eric (mine), Luke, Jordan, Dylan.

The grad. ceremony was held in the afternoon this time. DD's was in the evening. So DH had to take some time off, but I'm glad he was there. We were going to go out and celebrate for dinner, but Eric wasn't hungry and was actually quite sick. Maybe this weekend. I can't believe it's been ten years since DD graduated from this program. Now she's headed off to school an hour and a half away! Time does indeed, as they say, go.

Partay

Hey! Curt and I went out to a party for a friend's 40th last night. We had a great time. Someone got the bday girl a walker all tricked out. So funny. She walked around the dance floor to I Can't Drive 55. LOL We were gonna finally hear John's band "The Ruggs" play, but their drummer's carpel tunnel acted up. So, karaoke for all (except me). Takes way too much guts or booze for that to happen, either way, it sure ain't happenin' with me! LOL

Eric's friend Luke went home at four a.m. They hadn't been to sleep yet, and he gets sick, read: he'll actually throw up, from being too tired. Lucky-Curt got to bring him home this time. The rub is that he's the bday girl's son. So, WAKE up you hungover woman! Ha ha.

I finished reading, "High Society: the Life of Grace Kelly" by Donald Spoto. I had no idea what an incredible person she is. Aside from her family's wealth, she walked through some things that are pretty awful for a kid; things that stay with you your whole life. I'm really impressed with her. I would highly recommend reading this book. Oh-I'm impressed with the author too. She mentioned not publishing a biography of her, seemingly in passing, until 25 years after her death. He actually waited. That deserves a shout out.

Well I've been done with Laurie's birthday blanket for about a week now. Trouble is, her bday isn't til the last part of April. I suppose I should just wash it and wrap it. I've got some sort of mental block against this. I'm also giving her a pic of a beautiful orchid I took at the Como Conservatory. The leaves behind it are all misty green and lush, with a nice crisp image of this gorgeous mottled fuschia? being. I want to get her a nice frame so she can hang it in her newly remodeled green and purple bathroom. I've dubbed it Barney. I also knitted her some dishcloths, brightly colored ones too cheer her up in the gloomy winter.

Here's a link to the blanket too. I made it because it reminds me of an Easter basket and her bday is around then.

Anyway, I'll be going. We already missed the 9:15 service at church today. (It's 9:15 as I write.) Better make it to the next one.

Thanks for coming by.

Another day...with SUN!

Yay! More sun today and almost 35! Last night I slept so well. I had a weird dream though. I was at my old high school, but it was now the kids' school, and I found a nine mo. old baby. I was looking all around for his parents. It goes on and on, but I won't. lol

Earlier last night Amanda and I went to work out at the gym. I hadn't been there in over 14 mos. They had the greatest treadmill. It was like walking on air, barely any impact, and it was configured to be comfortable to hold things like the heart rate monitors, etc. Then we played some basketball. I use the term "played" very loosely. But I had SO much fun. Next, we hit the sauna. There were a bunch of guys in there. They were speaking Russian. (Music to my ears. I truly think it's the most beautiful language out there.) I asked one of them how to say "I'm not armed." It's a quote from The Bourne Ultimatum. He told me, but I couldn't quite emulate it, and I was too embarrassed to keep asking him to repeat it. P.S.--the Russians - they left dripping wet with sweat, then headed straight for the lap pool, without rinsing off first, and jumped right on in! Ewwwww.

I had a nice surprise yesterday. In the mail was a pack of four free tickets to the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra! I'm so excited. It's for the family shows. The thing is, is that we'd just "won" tix for a show on Feb. 13. Now another one! I love it. I love exposing the kids, and us, to things that we aren't usually around. At least things that are good and soul? expanding. Too much? LOL That's ok, it won't be the last time. But seriously folks, I remember reading an article about Jacqueline B.K.O'nassis. She said if there's one thing you do for your kids, expose them to classical music. Now, I may not have known her personally, but she surely did something quite well with those kids of hers. Anyway, I always feel like an especially good mom when we go to the SPCO. So these tix are very welcomed. Shout out to the sponsors -Target Corporation.

I started reading Dave Ramsey a week ago. Husband hasn't read it, so momentum is waning. :-( Though I did pay off a c.c. last Saturday. Ya-yeah! Gotta keep it up. If we really follow this plan, we'll have to be selling...wait for it...our beautiful Kawai piano!! That piano has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. The sad part is that a couple mos. after we bought it I lost my job. No money for lessons! So close and yet so far. Anyway, it's just been sitting here looking pretty in our living room. We should sell it I suppose. It's not as though we can never buy another one. ?? Long, deep, sad sigh of impending short term emotional doom...chuckle.

Well, I think I'll try to upload some pics to this post. Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to my new home!

Hey! I’m Erika. This is my blog. Welcome. It may take awhile to get things up and running. There may be some changes to the look of the site, but hang in there. I’ll get things going soon enough. Thanks for stopping by!

The Little Things

I was just thinking how great those seemingly small things in life are. And really the only things in life…at least for me, since there aren’t any biggies. For example: I absolutely adore my new razor- blade- in- a- handle thing. It’s a straight edge and I use it to clean. It gets gunk off my oven door, windows, all sorts of stuff without having to ruin my knuckles and joints trying to scrub the stuff off. Good for the environment too — not as many chemicals, right? So cool.